Introducing EPIC’s Expanded Technology Program: Putting Data to Use for Environmental Policy

As the United States invests up to $100 billion in water infrastructure over the next 10 years we will need far better data and applications of that data to maximize benefits for underserved communities. While the Biden administration’s focus on environmental justice and the needs of historically underserved communities is a pivotal change, many federal agencies, municipalities and community advocates are ill-equipped to use technological innovations that could ensure that far more communities benefit from the increased investments. In some cases, there are clear data gaps that must be filled, and in other cases, technical assistance is needed for stakeholders to utilize improved digital tools. These technical challenges are a result of historical, cultural, and bureaucratic impediments that are blocking the potential use of digital technology across environmental programs, not just in the area of equity.

We don't want to overstate this but it’s easy to develop new technologies, new maps, new apps, and new tech tools - supply isn't the problem when it comes to environmental technology tools. 

The problem is demand.  Especially, government demand. 

Technology budgets and expertise are siloed into the operations sides (i.e. largely HR and accounting) of agencies, rather than mission-focused projects (i.e. natural resource management or environmental monitoring). And where that isn't true, agencies often want to develop technologies and applications they fully design and own - rather than invest in shared tools across teams working on similar initiatives at different agencies, or procure standard solutions from an innovative technology organization. Further, where technology could enable much smarter, efficient regulation or monitoring, it's typically walled off from doing so, or stuck behind a glacially slow adoption cycle within agencies. 

EPIC’s technology program focuses on removing these barriers to catalyze equitable, faster environmental progress that makes use of 21st century digital infrastructure by: 

1. Building institutional technical competencies within environmental agencies so they are better users and procurers of technology. Through targeted convenings and advocacy work in 2022, we will continue championing efforts to create a Digital Service for the Planet, and adding Chief Technology Officers in mission focused roles of agencies. Such competencies would equip environmental agencies with the personnel and financial resources necessary for the federal government to be a better user of technology to advance environmental outcomes.  

2. Addressing procurement or regulatory challenges for environmental technology use through creative policy like regulatory sandboxes - we need flexible testing grounds for new innovations. While we are keen to tackle many areas in this realm, we are starting with four: 

   1. Building public trust in drinking water through more accessible and higher quality communications strategies, 

   2. Expediting the pace and scale of restoration and green infrastructure permitting process through improved digital infrastructure and streamlined operations,

   3. Making it easier for government agencies to utilize third-party software by updating procurement processes, and

   4. Ensuring that USDA can support, through cost-share, farmers who want to acquire software as a service that produces better natural resource outcomes.

3. Highlighting technological innovations and creating the necessary data to address environmental injustices. Through the Water Data Prize, we are incentivizing a diversity of developers and innovators to focus their creative ideas and products on quickly and equitably replacing toxic lead pipes. Following the prize, and in collaboration with community advocates and water industry association groups, we are developing a best practices guidebook for municipalities and regulators that helps them quickly identify strategies for inventorying and mapping toxic lead pipes, developing equitable replacement programs, and communicating about these efforts and the risks to their communities.
   
   In addition, we are working with collaborators to create data layers that we think are crucial to successfully implementing President Biden’s Justice40 initiative. From creating water service area boundaries to evaluating federal spending data, we are diving into the underpinnings of Justice40 that enable high impact tracking of who benefits from environmental investments. 

Our work would not be possible if not for strong coalitions of diverse leaders across policy, communications, advocacy and technology. Through our program, we will continue to foster a collaborative environment and convene stakeholders that are keen to advance digital solutions that can inform and expedite environmental justice outcomes. We look forward to working with you all in this endeavor.